STIs and AIDS

chlamydia

A very common sexually transmitted infection caused by bacteria. People who are sexually active should be checked regularly for chlamydia. The infection can be cured with antibiotics.

What is the main effect of HIV

It slowly destroys the immune systems

What are three behaviors that can help you avoid HIV infection?

Options are to practice abstinence, avoid drugs, avoid contact with another person's blood and body fluids, practice sexual fidelity in marriage, and use barrier protection.

How could you use refusal skills and effective communication to avoid STIs?

Refusal skills and effective communication help you avoid peer pressure to be sexually active or to use drugs.

What are three risky behaviors that contribute to the current STI epidemic?

Risky behaviors include: ignoring the risks of being sexually active, having multiple sexual partners, and not seeking treatment for STIs.

Which region of the world accounts for the majority of HIV infections?

Sub-Saharan Africa

How can genital herpes affect a newborn baby?

The infection can cause blindness and even death.

What is the main goal of HIV treatment? How is that goal achieved?

The main goal is to keep the person's immune system functioning as close to normal as possible. That goal is achieved by using a combination of drugs to reduce the viral load in the blood and prevent the virus from reproducing inside helper T cells.

What are the three most common STIs in the United States?

The three most common STIs are trichomoniasis, human papilloma virus, and chlamydia.

gonorrhea

a bacterial sexually transmitted infection that infects the urinary tract of males and females and the reproductive organs of females. Researchers estimate that more than 700,000 Americans are infected with gonorrhea each year. Males usually have a thick, puslike discharge from the penis and painful urination. Females sometimes experience painful urination and a puslike discharge from the vagina or urinary tract. More often, however, symptoms in a woman are very mild and may not be noticed.

chancre

a painless sore that appears during the first stage of syphilis infection

HIV-positive

a person who is diagnosed as being infected with HIV

syphilis

a serious bacterial sexually transmitted infection that progresses through three distinct stages

pelvic inflammatory disease

a serious infection of the female reproductive organs that can lead to infertility or an ectopic pregnancy. A potentially fatal condition where a fertilized egg implants somewhere other than in the uterus. In addition, a pregnant woman can transmit chlamydia to her baby during birth. If an infected infant survives, it may suffer damage to the lungs or eyes.

trichomoniasis

a sexually transmitted infection caused by a protozoan that infects the urinary tract or vagina

genital herpes

a sexually transmitted infection caused by the herpes simplex virus. Researchers estimate that one out of five people ages 12 and older is infected with a herpes simplex virus.

vaginitis

a vaginal infection or irritation

Which determines the offset of AIDS

a very low number of helper T cells in the blood

AIDS

acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, which is an often fatal disease of the immune system. HIV attacks specific cells of the immune system, disabling the body's defenses against other pathogens. When the immune system becomes severely disabled, the infected person has AIDS.

universal precautions

actions taken by healthcare providers that reduce their risk of coming into contact with blood and body fluids

sexually transmitted infection (STI)

an infection caused by any pathogen that spreads from one person to another during sexual contact

opportunistic infections

an infection that attacks a person with a weakened immune system. These opportunistic infections include tuberculosis, fungal infections, and a lung disease called pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (noo moh SIS tis kuh RY nee eye). Certain types of cancer are also more common in people with AIDS, including cervical cancer and Kaposi's sarcoma (kuh POH seez sahr KOH muh), a kind of skin cancer.

symptoms of hepatitis

fatigue, abdominal pain,nausea, and jaundice

What are two sexually transmitted diseases that attack a liver

hepatitis B and hepatitis C

The most common viral STI in the United States is caused by the _____ _______ _______ HPV. In many cases, HPV causes no symptoms, so people may not be aware that they are infected.

human papilloma virusor

urethritis

inflammation of the lining of the urethra

People living with AIDS often experience ....

severe weight loss. As the disease progresses, the virus may attack the brain and nervous system, causing blindness, depression, and mental deterioration. Death is usually caused by an opportunistic infection.

Which stage of syphilis is characterized by the appearance of a chancre?

the first stage

HIV

the human immunodeficiency virus, an incurable sexually transmitted infection that can lead to AIDS. 1 million Americans were reported to be living with HIV. And 13- to 24-year-olds account for approximately 13% of HIV cases reported in the United States.

viral load

the number of virus particles circulating in the body

asymptomatic stage

the stage of HIV infection in which the infected person shows no symptoms

What protozan can infect the urinary tracts of males

trichomoniasis

If untreated, trichomoniasis in males may lead to ....

urethritis, an inflamed urethra.